People in the U.S. often greet each other by asking, \u201cHow are you?\u201d This is part of the general greeting routine, and they are not expecting an elaborate answer. With new or casual acquaintances, provide a short answer (e.g., \u201cI\u2019m good\u201d) and reciprocate by asking the same question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When choosing a local bank, look for free checking options that are often available to students. A debit card is a convenient way to make purchases in the United States. With this kind of card, purchases are deducted from your account balance as they are made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should monitor your account balance via online banking to avoid overdraft charges. Also be cautious of ATM fees \u2014 many banks will charge you a fee if you withdraw cash from an ATM belonging to another bank. If you plan to travel within the U.S., look for a bank that has ATMs nationwide. You can also ask your home bank if it has any U.S. affiliates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live on campus, you will be within walking distance of downtown Columbia and all campus facilities. Mizzou offers a free student shuttle \u2014 Tiger Line<\/a> \u2014 around campus. If you live off campus, several apartment complexes offer a free shuttle service to and from campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GoCOMO<\/a> is Columbia\u2019s free public bus system and has multiple stops around campus and the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Review additional information about transportation options<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Domestic and international mail can be sent via the U.S. Postal Service from the MU Student Center or the downtown post office<\/a>. Other carriers (e.g., FedEx or UPS) are also available and sometimes have better rates or faster service if you are mailing a package that is time sensitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are numerous religious centers and places of worship<\/a> in Columbia for the followers of many faiths, including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and more. Some places of worship offer services in different languages. There are also several religious\/spiritual student organizations<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mizzou Market<\/a> has two locations on campus and offers a variety of snack foods and toiletry items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mizzou Store<\/a>, located in the Student Center, has a wide variety of items for sale, including textbooks and school supplies, Mizzou-themed apparel and some dorm room basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tiger Cash<\/a> allows you to deposit funds into a prepaid account and use your student ID card to make payments at the Mizzou Store, all Campus Dining Services locations and MizzouRec (select services).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many stores near campus that sell food, household items and toiletries. Refer to this list of stores<\/a> for more information. Several large grocery stores, super-centers and the mall are accessible by bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many restaurants, cafes and bars within walking distance of campus. You should leave a tip for your server \u2014 the suggested rate is 15 percent for standard service and 20 percent or more for exceptional service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to check your bill to see whether a tip has already been included \u2014 look for the word \u201cgratuity.\u201d In most restaurants, larger parties (usually eight or more people), are automatically charged a standard gratuity. In this case, it is up to you whether to leave an additional tip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are using cash, leave the tip on your table in plain sight with some kind of weight to prevent it from falling off the table. If you are paying your bill with a debit or credit card, you may be able to add a tip to the receipt you sign, and it will be added to your payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several city and state parks in or near Columbia. The city also has a wide network of trails for walking, running or biking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To obtain a U.S. driver\u2019s license, you must pass several tests. You should seriously consider if it will be necessary for you to have a driver\u2019s license and, in some cases, an international driver\u2019s license is sufficient. Learn more about driver\u2019s licenses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We encourage you to explore other parts of Missouri and the U.S. during weekends or academic breaks. Be sure to research your intended destination and figure out the best means of transportation to get there. In addition to flying, you might consider taking a bus<\/a> or train<\/a> to see more of the American landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are traveling outside the U.S., you must obtain a travel signature from an international student adviser.<\/strong> Travel signatures are valid for six months and necessary to re-enter the U.S. on your current visa. You can obtain a travel signature during advising<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Greetings People in the U.S. often greet each other by asking, \u201cHow are you?\u201d This is part of the general greeting routine, and they are not expecting an elaborate answer. With new or casual acquaintances, provide a short answer (e.g., \u201cI\u2019m good\u201d) and reciprocate by asking the same question. Banking When choosing a local bank, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":13,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2531","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6313,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2531\/revisions\/6313"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Post office<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Religious centers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Shopping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On campus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tiger Cash<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Off campus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Restaurants and tipping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Parks and recreation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Driver\u2019s license<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Travel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n